How to prevent frozen pipes

A frozen pipe can become messy and expensive problem. The best prevention against frozen pipes is to keep them warm enough to stay above the freezing point. A few preventive measures could save you from expensive repairs.

Take precautions to prevent your pipes from freezing, bursting, and causing water damage with the below easy tips.

• Shut off outdoor water supply: Your outdoor faucet will likely be the first thing to freeze. To prevent damage, shut off your outdoor water supply and allow taps to drain.
• Wrap pipes located in unheated areas – such as an attic, crawl space or garage – with foam pipe insulation.
• Keep doors open so warm air can circulate throughout the entire house. Also, open cabinet doors so heat can reach the pipes below the sink.
• Check for air leaks: Air leaks allow cold air into your home. In frigid temperatures, even a small opening can let in enough air to freeze a pipe. Use caulk or spray foam insulation.
• Drain the water system if you are going on vacation. With no water in the pipes, they can’t freeze. To drain your plumbing, turn the main water shutoff valve. Then, open a tap at all sinks and faucets until the water stops running.
• Apply Heating Tape: Heating tape works like an electric blanket for pipes, supplying heat directly to the pipe to keep it warm. This can be a good solution for short sections of pipe that are at high risk for freezing and are easily accessible so you can install the tape and can monitor it for problems.

Save yourself the hassle and cost of emergency repairs by locating pipes in areas that have higher risk for frozen pipes